Signal activated fastener array

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a fastening system ( 40 ) which includes a plurality of fasteners ( 12 ). Each fastener ( 12 ) is adapted to be locked or unlocked upon receipt of a suitable signal, such as an electric, magnetic or infrared signal. The fasteners ( 12 ) are included in a single carrier ( 38 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to fasteners and in particular to multipointfasteners.

BACKGROUND ART

There have been disclosed in earlier patent specifications various typesof fasteners, which may be actuated remotely (by radio frequency,infrared, etc.) or by hard wiring. The invention refers to any suitableprior art fastener. Some non-limiting examples are the fastenersdisclosed in the following patent specifications, the contents of whichare hereby imported herein by reference: Fixing and Release Systems:International Patent Application No. PCT/AU/99/00185, Improvements inFixing and Release Systems: International Patent Application No.PCT/U/03/00759, Improvements in Assembly: International PatentApplication No. PCT/AU/03/00933, Bolt Assembly: International PatentApplication No. PCT/AU/03/01539, Fastener for Airbags and Other Uses:International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2004/000371, Fasteners:International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2004/001580.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a fastening system which includes two or morefasteners, each fastener adapted to be locked or unlocked upon receiptof a suitable signal, wherein the two or more fasteners are included ina single carrier.

The invention is based on the concept that many of the fastenersreferred to above and in the specifications incorporated herein byreference can be provided in groups of fasteners. The fasteners may bearranged in a single plane, in two planes, or in three planes.

The fasteners in each carrier may be identical or they may differ onefrom another. When the fasteners are arranged in a single plane, theymay adopt any desirable pattern. When the fasteners are arranged in twoor three planes, there may be one or more fasteners in each plane. Whenthere is more than one fastener in each plane, once again they may bearranged in any suitable pattern.

The fasteners may be adapted to be locked or unlocked upon receipt ofthe same signal, or different signals. For example, one fastener may beadapted to unlock upon receipt of a magnetic signal, whereas aneighbouring fastener in the carrier may be adapted to be unlocked uponreceipt of an infrared signal.

The fasteners may be locked or unlocked upon receipt of the same type ofsignal, such as an electric signal, but the fasteners may be addressableindividually as already disclosed in one or more of the specificationsreferred to above.

Preferably, all fasteners in a single carrier are connected to a singlecommand source or there is a common electronic arrangement hosting allthe fasteners. This can provide optimum efficiency and minimum cost inrelation to groups of fasteners.

If desired, the fasteners in question may be the type where lockingoccurs without the need for activation of the fastener—for example, thetype of fastener illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 of International PatentApplication No. PCT/AU2004/001580. This type of fastener can greatlyfacilitate attachment of objects or parts to be fastened, yet providethe required security since release or unlocking is dependent on thereceipt of a suitable signal.

As one example of application of the invention, the fastening system canbe used to great effect in aircraft interiors where seats, shrouds,interior lining, etc., require a large number of fasteners. Using thefastening system of the invention can enable rapid exchange orreplacement of these parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in relation to certain non-limitingexamples thereof described in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning first to FIG. 1, fastening system 10 has three fasteners,arranged in a straight line. The outer two fasteners 12 are of the sametype. The centre fastener 14 is a different type from the outer twofasteners. The three fasteners are included in a single carrier 16 andlie on a single face 18. The fasteners may be chosen from any suitabletype of fastener, including those discussed earlier.

In relation to FIG. 2, fastening system 20 has fasteners on two faces,24 and 26. Face 24 has three fasteners, two type-12 fasteners and onetype-14 fastener, in a single row. Opposite face 26 of carrier 22 has anidentical three fasteners.

In FIG. 3, fastening system 30 has four type-12 fasteners arranged atthe corners of a square on face 32. Carrier 28 in this embodiment hasthe fasteners on face 32 only. In a modified embodiment, carrier 28could have fasteners on the face 20 opposite to face 32 or could carryone or more fasteners on, for example, faces 34 or 36. Fasteners on face32 lie in one plane, while one or more fasteners on face 34, forexample, would lie in a perpendicular plane to that on face 32.

With reference to FIG. 4, fastening system 40 has three type-12fasteners on carrier 38. One fastener 12 is on face 42, another fastener12 is on face 44 and a third fastener 12 is on face 46. This illustratesan embodiment of the invention where the fasteners are in three planes.

As will be readily appreciated, the types of fasteners in theembodiments in FIGS. 1 to 4 may be readily mixed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention is useful in providing a carrier for a number offasteners. It can assist in rapid fastening or unfastening in assemblieswhich require a large number of fasteners.

1. fastening system which includes two or more fasteners, each fasteneradapted to be locked or unlocked upon receipt of a suitable signal,wherein the two or more fasteners are included in a single carrierhaving a plurality of faces, one of the fasteners being located on oneof the faces and another of the fasteners being located on another ofthe faces.
 2. The fastening system of claim 1, in which all fastenersare identical.
 3. The fastening system of claim 1, which contains atleast two different types of fasteners.
 4. The fastening system of claim1, wherein there are more than two fasteners.
 5. The fastening system ofclaim 4, wherein the fasteners are located on three faces.
 6. Thefastening system of claim 5, wherein there is one fastener located oneach face.
 7. The fastening system of claim 5, wherein there is morethan one fastener located on each face.
 8. The fastening system of claim5, wherein there is a mixture of faces having one fastener and more thanone fastener.
 9. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein each fasteneris adapted to be locked or unlocked upon receipt of a signal of a firsttype.
 10. The fastening system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at leastone fastener is adapted to be locked or unlocked upon receipt of asignal of a first type and at least another fastener is adapted to belocked or unlocked upon receipt of a signal of a second type.
 11. Thefastening system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the signal of the firsttype and the signal of the second type is chosen from a group comprisinga magnetic signal, an infrared signal and an electric signal.
 12. Thefastening system of claim 1, wherein each fastener has an individualaddress.
 13. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein all fasteners areconnected to a single command source for the suitable signal. 14.(canceled)